City & State hires Morgan Pehme as editor-in-chief

Morgan Pehme, a veteran journalist, professor, filmmaker, and good government advocate, has been hired as the new editor-in-chief for City & State. He will start on May 7.

For the last two years, Pehme has been executive director of New York Civic, the nonpartisan good government group founded by former New York City Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern. In his time at New York Civic, Pehme used his broad range of experience as an editor, multimedia producer, and entrepreneur to expand greatly the nonprofit’s profile. In addition to organizing nearly two dozen live events, he spearheaded the creation of “Candidate College”, an online video series designed to teach political neophytes how to run for office, and the Mary Perot Nichols Award, the only cash prize recognizing investigative journalism in New York State.

Prior to joining New York Civic, Pehme was an adjunct professor of journalism, film, television, and advertising at St. John’s University from 2004 to 2010. He has also worked as a political consultant, contributed to The Huffington Post, and served as a columnist and managing editor for The Queens Courier.

“We are very pleased to announce Morgan Pehme as the new editor of City & State and First Read,” said William Pecover, a senior partner at Manhattan Media. “Morgan is an accomplished writer and editor with a dynamic grasp of 21^st Century journalism and a potent vision for strengthening City & State’s brand as the must-read publication for anyone interested in politics in New York State. His cutting-edge expertise in social media, video production, and blogging open up an exciting spectrum of new possibilities for City & State that we are eager to pursue.”

“I am thrilled to be joining City & State’s award-winning news team,” said Pehme. “Like everyone whose work relates to City Hall and the Capitol, my professional life has long revolved around First Read, The Notebook, City & State and the publication’s events. It is my aim to maintain the tremendous level of journalistic excellence set by my predecessor, Adam Lisberg, while continuing to elevate the paper’s online platform and multimedia presence.”

Pehme was born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and attended the Dalton School, where he earned renown as a national scholastic chess champion. He is an honors graduate of Lake Forest College in Illinois with a dual degree in English literature and French. Pehme has given talks at many universities about politics and appeared as a guest on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show, the Curtis Sliwa Show, Air America, and Tokyo-FM. He is also an award-winning filmmaker. Currently, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Patricia, and daughter, Fiona.

In 2011, Pehme was named as one of City Hall’s Rising Stars: 40 Under 40. City & State’s 40 Under 40, Rising Stars: Albany edition hits newsstands on May 21.